Syracuse Motorcycle Accident
Lawyer

Motorcyclists are involved in the most severe accidents

Riding a motorcycle can be dangerous. According to one 2023 report, fatalities from motor vehicle crashes in Syracuse increased more than 70% over the preceding five years. During the same period, crashes resulting in serious injuries increased by about 12%. For motorcyclists without a structure around them to help absorb impact, even a low-speed accident can result in serious injuries.

‍If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you need an attorney who will fight for you, fully investigate your accident, and make sure you get the settlement you deserve.
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Our Syracuse motorcycle accident lawyers understand the nuances of these cases, the scope and necessity for an in-depth investigation, and the proof needed in these types of complicated cases.

If you have survived a motorcycle accident, you may be facing very serious injuries. You need a motorcycle accident lawyer on your side who can help you recover the full compensation you deserve. Without legal guidance, you may not get the financial recovery you need.

How Motorcycle Crashes Usually Happen in Syracuse

Motorcycle accidents in Syracuse often result from a combination of driver negligence and challenging road conditions unique to Central New York. Here are a few examples of the most common causes.

• Distracted driving is a common occurrence, with passenger vehicle drivers increasingly focused on smartphones, GPS devices, or other distractions. The smaller profile of motorcycles makes them particularly vulnerable when drivers aren’t paying full attention to their surroundings.
• Failure to yield right-of-way occurs frequently at Syracuse intersections, particularly during left turns. Many car drivers don’t see approaching motorcycles or misjudge their speed and distance. This is especially problematic at busy intersections along major routes, such as Erie Boulevard, South Salina Street, and Genesee Street, where heavy traffic flow increases the likelihood of right-of-way violations.
• Blind spot accidents happen when motorists change lanes without adequately checking for motorcycles. Due to their smaller size, motorcycles can easily disappear in a vehicle’s blind spots, leading to devastating side-impact collisions. This issue is compounded on Syracuse’s busy highways like Interstate 81 and Interstate 690, where multiple lane changes occur frequently.
• Impaired driving remains a significant factor in motorcycle crashes throughout the Syracuse area. Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have severely reduced reaction times and impaired judgment, making it difficult to safely navigate around motorcycles or respond to changing traffic conditions.
• Speeding and reckless driving behaviors create hazardous situations for motorcyclists. Excessive speed reduces the time available for both drivers and riders to react to hazards. At the same time, aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, weaving through traffic, or running red lights, pose an extreme risk to vulnerable motorcyclists.
• Weather and road conditions present unique challenges in Syracuse, where harsh winters and frequent weather changes create hazardous riding conditions. Rain, snow, ice, and even seasonal debris can make roads treacherous for motorcycles. Additionally, Syracuse’s aging infrastructure means riders must navigate around potholes, uneven pavement, and construction zones that pose serious hazards to two-wheeled vehicles.

Injuries That Can Result From Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries due to the lack of protection riders have compared to occupants of enclosed vehicles. The force of impact, combined with the likelihood of being thrown from the bike, creates conditions where even relatively minor crashes can cause severe, life-altering injuries.

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most serious consequences of motorcycle accidents, even when riders wear helmets. The sudden impact or violent motion can cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull, leading to concussions, contusions, or more severe brain damage. TBIs can result in cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes, and long-term disability that affects every aspect of a victim’s life.
• Spinal cord injuries frequently occur when riders are thrown from their motorcycles or experience direct impact to their back or neck. These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting mobility and sensation below the point of injury. Even less severe spinal injuries can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and require extensive rehabilitation and ongoing medical care.
• Road rash might sound minor, but severe cases involve deep abrasions that strip away skin, muscle, and even expose bone. Third-degree road rash requires skin grafts and extensive wound care, often leaving permanent scarring and disfigurement. Beyond the physical damage, road rash poses serious risks of infection and can require multiple surgeries to ensure proper healing.
• Fractures and broken bones are extremely common in motorcycle crashes, particularly affecting the legs, arms, ribs, and pelvis. Complex fractures may require surgical intervention with pins, plates, or rods, followed by months of physical therapy. Compound fractures, where bone breaks through the skin, carry additional risks of infection and may never fully heal.
• Internal injuries can be life-threatening and may not be immediately apparent after a crash. Damage to organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs can cause internal bleeding that requires emergency surgery. Blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen is particularly dangerous and can result in organ failure or death if not treated promptly.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in the Syracuse area, seeking immediate medical care is crucial for both your health and any potential legal claim. Syracuse offers several excellent medical facilities equipped to handle serious motorcycle accident injuries.

• Upstate University Hospital serves as the region’s Level I trauma center and is equipped to handle the most severe motorcycle accident injuries, including complex brain and spinal cord trauma.
• St. Joseph’s Hospital offers comprehensive emergency services and orthopedic care, making it well-suited for treating fractures, broken bones, and other musculoskeletal injuries common in motorcycle crashes. Their rehabilitation services can also support long-term recovery efforts.
• Crouse Hospital offers excellent emergency care, and its location in downtown Syracuse makes it easily accessible for accident victims throughout the metropolitan area.

Need Immediate Assistance?

Call us at 315.500.5000

Because of our experience representing motorcycle accident victims, we recognize how important it is to gather and preserve crucial evidence, obtain witness statements, and begin to reconstruct the accident. We work to ensure our clients receive the strongest legal representation.

Know your legal rights after a motorcycle accident

If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver, you have a legal right to pursue legal options for the many costs you face. You DO NOT have to accept the first offer the at-fault driver’s insurance company makes. And you are under NO obligation to speak to a representative of that insurance company. In fact, it’s better if you let your lawyer do the talking.

Injured motorcycle accident victims deserve compensation for all the crash-related costs they have faced and will face because of the at-fault driver’s carelessness. Though the insurance company is typically responsible for paying your damages, the compensation you deserve usually doesn’t come without a fight.

That’s where Catalano Law comes in.

We work hard to investigate the crash, determine how much you’re owed, and build a claim that is intended to get you maximum compensation. This might include:

• Medical expenses, including the costs of your surgeries, medications, adaptive equipment, and future doctor visits
• Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
• Property damage, such as damage to your motorcycle
• Long-term rehabilitation and care costs

And we do all of this on a contingency fee basis.

You pay our Syracuse motorcycle accident lawyers nothing unless we win

At Catalano Law, you’ll pay no out-of-pocket costs to hire our Syracuse motorcycle accident lawyers, and we receive no fee or expenses unless a settlement or financial recovery is obtained for your motorcycle accident injury.

We believe in our team’s ability to get results, and we know that you don’t need yet another bill to pay.

Get a free case evaluation today

Motorcyclists are so often treated unfairly in the aftermath of a crash. We believe that’s unfair, and we use all of our firm’s resources to make sure you get the legal representation you deserve.

Motorcyclists are so often treated unfairly in the aftermath of a crash. We believe that’s unfair, and we use all of our firm’s resources to make sure you get the legal representation you deserve.

Don’t accept an insurance company’s offer without first exploring your options and your legal rights to compensation. Let us give you a case assessment at no cost and review the possible pathways to getting the compensation you’re entitled to by law.
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If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, contact Catalano Law for a free case evaluation at 315-904-2449.